Police: ‘Hoodies Should Be Banned’

Font Size By Diana Lucio Reporter
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Mobile Police say one sweatshirt is behind a recent rash of robberies in the area. Authorities want the garment taken off store shelves permanently.
Published: Fri, March 28, 2008 - 11:00 pm
Diana Lucio
Diana Lucio
Some call it a fashion statement. But authorities aren't buying it. In fact, the Mobile Police Department hopes no one else will buy the "hoodie" sweatshirt.

Police say the "hoodies", sold in several retailers around Mobile County and on one European website, have motivated robberies in the area. "This is what's motivating people who otherwise have not committed crimes to commit some very very serious crimes," Said Deputy Chief James Barber with Mobile Police. Authorities displayed several "hoodies" confiscated from robbery arrests.

The "hoodies" are a regular hooded sweatshirt, but they zip up on the hood as well. Police call them a ready made mask that needs to be taken off the market permanently. "You zip that up over your face and confront a police officer...I don't want anybody to get hurt, the child or the police officer, "Said Mobile Police Chief Phillip Garrett. But one merchant we spoke with says the sweatshirts are not to blame. "If someone wants to do something criminal or something they can use anything to do something criminal, "Said Mahmoud Aziz. The department is working on a proposal to ban the sale of these garments.

According to authorities the "hoodie" has become popular among late teens to people in their early twenties, an age group who police say is responsible for recent robberies in the area. Meantime, police are advising parents to check their child's closet for these sweatshirts.

I just bought one of these at the mall, for under $15. Better believe I’m going to wear it, but that doesn’t mean I’ll zip it all the way up or rob a store! I own several pairs of tights and I’ve managed not to put them over my head and rob someone. A criminal is a criminal, and clothing doesn’t make them commit crimes.

Posted by KxVx on 03/30/08 - 1:50 pm • Report Abuse.   

I don’t much care what kids wear.  I don’t understand some of it, but it is no big deal to me.  I remember going through the same thing when I was kid back in the 60’s.  But, these hoodies have a very nefarious appearance and could easily put the wearer in danger.

I can only think of one day each year that these things might be considered acceptable outerwear and that is October 31.

Posted by BamaBob on 03/30/08 - 8:29 am • Report Abuse.   

It’s sort of like mob mentality,when people sometimes do things they would not normally do. Closed faced hoodies probably encourage some people to do things they would not do if people could see their face.It’s not black or white, it’s the person and some people are walking a very thin line between law abiding and law breaker and sometimes the littlest thing can push them one way or the other,in this case,a closed face hoodie.I have had a open faced hoodie for a long time and wear it during winter mornings when i walk and jog.let’s not make the policemen’s job any harder,discourage the younger people from wearing closed faced hoodies,it might save a life,the hoodie wearer or a police officer’s.

Posted by carl on 03/30/08 - 6:41 am • Report Abuse.   

Clothing is not responsible for a person committing a crime.  A person chooses to do it.  We cannot blame their clothing.  The hoodies shown in the video are ugly in my opinion but for me as a 30 something woman I like the “traditional hoodie, in fact I am wearing one right now.....

Posted by mheat923 on 03/29/08 - 5:42 pm • Report Abuse.   

“This is what’s motivating people who otherwise have not committed crimes to commit some very very serious crimes"- Are these hoodies made of crack? Do you wear them and think I need more, much more.

“U know the Naacp will be out against this for one reason, African-Americans being targeted again.”

What?!? Does the hoodie say I’m black on it?? I failed to see anywhere on this article that it was race related.

“Police are advising parents to check their child’s closet for these sweatshirts.”

These hoodies are probably gonna be hidden behind the child’s dope, in front of their gun.

Gimme a break.

Posted by blackredneck on 03/29/08 - 5:19 pm • Report Abuse.   

I don’t think they should be banned, just have them make all of them without eye holes.If they can’t see what they are doing,then they won’t be of any danger!LOL

Posted by carl on 03/29/08 - 4:26 pm • Report Abuse.   

U know the Naacp will be out against this for one reason, African-Americans being targeted again.

At least this time i did not Say the @la%k word this time, I noticed that this site removes any content that has that word in it.

We should have a topic on here on how this is controlled and enforced and in what form and political reasons this may incure apon this station.

Posted by lowhengrin on 03/29/08 - 4:20 pm • Report Abuse.   

BamaBob, if you see a pizza guy wearing something like this, shoot him--he probably works for Hungry Howies, and they’re our biggest competition right now. (But be careful, he’ll shoot back!)

Posted by KxVx on 03/29/08 - 3:36 pm • Report Abuse.   

Tell us how you feel when the pizza guy comes to your door wearing that thing over his haed!  LOL

Posted by BamaBob on 03/29/08 - 2:32 pm • Report Abuse.   

This is the worst logic I’ve ever heard. I bet all the robbers were wearing tennis shoes and underwear, too! Let’s ban those items!!! My job was robbed by a guy in a ski-mask! Let’s ban ski masks! That lady that robbed that bank a few years ago was talking on a cell phone and wearing sunglass! PROHIBIT SUNGLASSES AND CELL PHONES!!! All we need is for the real police to become the FASHION POLICE!

Posted by KxVx on 03/29/08 - 2:24 pm • Report Abuse.   

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